The theatre calendar’s most spectacular single-night celebration is gearing up for a massive return to Manchester next week. Thousands of fans who were lucky enough to snap up free tickets will pack into the AO Arena for the National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals. Now entering its fifth year, the event promises a blockbuster evening entirely dedicated to the magic of the stage, bringing together heavy hitters from the West End and the UK’s top touring productions. Salford’s own comedian and actor Jason Manford is back at the helm to host the proceedings, which viewers at home can catch on BBC One later this spring. As a seasoned stage performer himself, there is plenty of hope among the crowd that Jason might even flex his own vocal cords on the night.

West End Heavyweights and Fresh Debuts

This year’s line-up perfectly balances beloved classics with highly anticipated newcomers. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest draws of the evening will be the debut performance from Paddington the Musical. Featuring original songs penned by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, the stage adaptation of the iconic bear’s adventures has already proved to be an absolute triumph. Relentless ticket demand has even prompted producers to extend its premiere run well into 2027.

Elsewhere on the bill, the London cast of Wicked will take to the stage to thrill theatregoers ahead of the show’s monumental 20th anniversary next year. The arena will also host numbers from Miss Saigon and Mel Brooks’ The Producers, alongside a buzzy appearance from Eurovision star Sam Ryder, who is currently making his West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar. Adding to the star power, pop sensation Alexandra Burke is set to bring the house down with a track from I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical, while Strictly Come Dancing favourite La Voix steps out in her new role as the fearsome Miss Hannigan in Annie. A bespoke Disney medley is also on the cards for the evening, made all the more special by the confirmed attendance of legendary American composer Alan Menken. Speaking about the staggering roster, Manford noted that bringing together some of the world’s biggest shows for a single night is a phenomenal feat, and he cannot wait for audiences to experience it.

Meanwhile on the Continent: Revving Up the DeLorean

While the UK celebrates its current theatrical titans, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch over in Germany for a brand new sci-fi spectacle. Just four weeks ahead of its German premiere on 22 March, rehearsals for the musical adaptation of Back to the Future have entered the final stretch on Hamburg’s famous Reeperbahn. Transporting the legendary 1980s film comedy starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd to the stage, the production is already generating significant buzz after enjoying massive, award-winning runs on Broadway and the West End.

During a recent rehearsal visit at Stage Entertainment’s studios, director John Rando laid out a very simple promise to the press: if you love the original movie, the musical will absolutely win you over. The cast recently teased a glimpse of that stage magic with a scene titled ‘It Works’, where the eccentric Doc Brown unveils his DeLorean time machine to teenager Marty McFly.

Stepping into Iconic Shoes

Taking on such culturally massive roles is a serious undertaking for the Hamburg cast. Jan Kersjes, who plays Doc Brown and boasts previous credits including King George in Hamilton and Olaf in Frozen, admitted his deep, lifelong affection for the source material. Having grown up adoring the film, he confessed that delivering lines made famous by his childhood idols regularly gives him goosebumps, to the point where he frequently has to fight back tears in the rehearsal room. For Kersjes, Doc is less of a stereotypical mad scientist and much more of a genuine, loyal friend to Marty.

Opposite him is Raphael Groß, fresh from his stint in & Juliet, stepping into the iconic trainers of Marty McFly. Landing the part felt exactly like winning the lottery for the young actor, though he is quick to acknowledge the sheer physical marathon of being on stage for nearly the entire show. Rather than doing a straight impression of Michael J. Fox, Groß aims to capture the essence of the performance, explaining that his recipe for the character is to quote the actor rather than imitate him. As the DeLorean prepares to fly audiences from 1985 back to 1955, where Marty must famously orchestrate his own parents’ teenage romance to ensure his very existence, this new production looks set to be a thrilling race against time.